Trying to find the best coffee and espresso maker combo is no easy task. Fortunately, my article is there to help you with your search. Have a read!

Hey there, all you hard workers and early risers! If there’s one thing, I’m sure of it’s that most of you can’t live without coffee. Well, this is true for me too. This magical black drink makes my mornings brighter and my days easier, so I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Now, there are many brewing styles, and frankly, I can’t settle for just one as I like to switch things up from time to time. Of course, every method requires a special machine or device, and most of us just don’t have the means to buy all of them.

Luckily, some smart people decided to gives us a hand and make combo coffee makers. And yes, you’ve guessed it, this is what today’s article is going to be about. So if you’re looking for the best coffee and espresso maker combo, maybe I can help out.

What is a coffee and espresso maker combo?

I believe that the name is pretty self-explanatory. This is a machine that is able to brew both espressos as well as drip coffee. So no matter if you like it short and strong or long and mild(ish), this appliance will do it for you.

1. Not just for espresso and drip coffee drinkers

All you have to do is brew a cup, add milk to it and voila! Also, some machines even have a frother so that you can make that lovely, creamy, milk foam.

2. Save money, save the environment.

Just think about all the cash you left at your local coffee shop in the past several years. You could probably buy a house with that money. By investing in an espresso and coffee maker combo, you’ll be able to make any kind of coffee at home.

3. A perfect toy for amateur baristas

Many of these devices have a lot of customizable settings that allow you to tweak things like brew strength, grind size, and so on. If you’re a real coffee enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the ability to play around and experiment with the way you make your cuppa Joe.

A potential problem might be to ward off all the neighbors when they realize you make the best coffee in the entire street.

What to know before buying a coffee and espresso maker combo?

1. Ease of use

Here’s another essential consideration that you need to make. Ease of use is sometimes in indirect proportion with the performance of the machine.

This means that the easier it is to operate, the fewer options you’ll have.

I’d say it’s best to find something in the middle - an appliance that’s not too hard to use, but that will still give you excellent coffee. The best way to find out about this is by reading what other people have to say.

2. Size

As with any other kitchen appliance, figure out how much countertop space you have available and choose a product accordingly. The tricky thing with coffee makers is that they often seem smaller on photos, so do not buy anything before checking out its dimensions.

3. Cleaning

This is a big one, at least for me personally. Different coffee makers can have very different ways of cleaning, and this depends on their construction as well as additional features.

Certain devices have to be cleaned daily, some once in a few days. Also, the cleaning time might take several minutes or several seconds. Consider this factor very carefully before buying one of these products.

4. Whole beans, grounds, or pods

Combo machines differ by the way they intake the coffee. This mainly applies to the espresso-making side of the appliance as the drip maker almost strictly uses grounds.

5. Additional features

Do you want to be able to make cappuccinos and lattes? In that case, you might want to invest in a machine that has a milk frother or a steam nozzle.

Maybe you like to experiment? If yes, then you’ll love the appliances which can memorize your presets.

Another cool thing that some models have are automatic features like timers, notification sounds, and all sorts of options that make life a bit easier.

6. Budget

In the world of coffee makers, more money equals more quality, generally speaking. Does this mean you have to go out and get the most expensive product out there? Definitely not.

The priciest machines are usually made for professional use, meaning that they can handle a workload of 10+ hours a day. You’ll want to find a mid to high priced machine for a residential setting, and you’ll be all set.

Best coffee and espresso maker combos: Detailed Reviews 2019

If you’re a true coffee-head, you’ve probably heard of Krups and the array of products they make. Also, if you’re buying your first coffee machine ever, then this one might be just what you need.

The biggest advantage of this device is its ease of use - it literally has two buttons. The button on the right reads “Espresso” and the one on the left “Coffee,” so there’s no need to tell you what they do. The machine takes only ground coffee.

There are two pots that come with the device, a smaller one for espresso (4 cups max) and a larger one for drip coffee (8 five ounce cups max). Never pour more water in the tank than the coffee container can fit as this will cause overflow.

As for the extra features, the Krups 985-42 has a rotating steam nozzle that will allow you to make delicious milk froth. Also, there is a 20-second pause button, that’ll let you pause the brewing process to pour some coffee in your cup.

This is a mid-priced product, and even though some may think that it’s expensive, trust me, the investment will pay off within a few months.

What I Liked

Very simple to use

Easy to clean and maintain

Good price

Steam nozzle

What I Didn’t Like

I want to start by saying that Ninja Auto-iQ is a fantastic device. However, it cannot make “true” espresso, as it doesn’t produce the necessary pressure. Nevertheless, it is a combo coffee maker, and I wanted to include it in this article.

When it comes to user-friendliness, this machine is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Everything is nicely marked with clear symbols so that there’s no confusion. Even though you won’t be able to make “real” espresso with it, it will brew a short, strong coffee, similar to a Moka pot.

The appliance is not very large, so it should easily fit into most kitchens. It’s narrower but taller than other similar products, and I think this is a space saver. The cleaning process is super simple and won’t take more than a minute or two.

The Ninja coffee maker brews ground coffee, which means no pods and no whole beans. It also includes a frother so that you can make all your favorite milky beverages.

As for the price, it is quite similar to the previous product I reviewed, and that means that it is very reasonable.

What I Liked

What I Didn’t Like

If you’re looking for a modern, state-of-the-art appliance that won’t get your hands dirty, check out Breville’s Nespresso Vertuo.

The first thing that you have to know about his device is that it uses only pods. This is a considerable time and effort saver, but it’s not something that everyone wants. In addition to this, using it is very, very straightforward and fuss-free to operate.

Depending on the pod you use, you’ll be able to make anything from espresso to longer drinks. Included in the price, is the Aerocino milk frother and it works like a charm.

The machine is very sleek-looking, and like the Shark Ninja, it is narrow and tall, which I think is good. The cleaning is done using pods and capsules, so it’s as simple as the coffee brewing process. The frother can be rinsed with hot water right after use, and that will be it.

Despite what you might think, this product is rather inexpensive compared to its competition. However, pods might cost more than regular coffee beans so think about that before investing in it.

What I Liked

What I Didn’t Like

Ok, so here’s a great tool for those who get bored quickly and like to experiment with their coffee. I present you - the Keurig K-Cafe!

Ok, so first things first, despite its many features and high flexibility, this device is super-easy to use. So no, you won’t have to spend days studying the manual to master this appliance.

Now, a potential turn-off for espresso enthusiasts is that K-Cafe cannot make authentic espresso as it lacks the pressure. However, it can make pretty much anything else that comes in K-pods.

The machine kind of big, and its dominant dimension is the width, so this could be a problem for people with small, cramped up kitchens. The reason it’s so wide is the frother in the shape of a small milk pot. On the bright side, this will give you the ability to make smooth lattes and foamy cappuccinos.

Cleaning is a breeze, which is a huge plus as it won’t take you ages to do it like with some other models. With all this considered, K-Cafe is sold at a price similar to all the other products I reviewed today, which I feel is more than reasonable.

What I Didn’t Like

The last product on my list is for the folks who like to invest some serious cash in their hobbies. Miele CM6100 is a high-end coffee maker, and now we’ll see all that it can do.

First off, this machine does not make drip coffee, so let’s get that out of the way right now. It makes espresso, and it is excellent. Of course, it can make longer, drip-like beverages for those who don’t fancy shots so much.

Secondly, it is quite easy to operate with a small control panel that lets you navigate and choose your preferred brewing option. The device takes whole beans, which is optimal for true coffee fanatics as this is the best way to preserve their natural aroma.

Third, this might be a disappointment to some, but Miele’s device doesn’t include a frother nor a steam nozzle. It’s made for those who like coffee black as night, and if you want to milk it up, you’ll have to get a frother separately.

Also, the CM6110 is not small, so be ready to make some room to place it.

The price of this machine is high, and it’s going to be a determining factor for many people. However, it is well worth it as it’s probably going to last you for years and years to come.

What I Liked

Quality build

Makes excellent espresso

Simple to use

What I Didn’t Like

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Very expensive

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No steam nozzle or frother

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A bit noisy

Final Verdict

Oh boy, all this coffee talk is making me want to make myself a cup. You know what, I think I’m gonna do just that as soon as I tell you which product I chose as the winner.

After a long and indecisive few hours, I finally settled for Krups 985-42 Il Caffe Duomo. I feel like this machine encapsulates all that a good combo needs to have. It won’t give you a lot of flexibility for experimentation, but it’ll surely brew you some mean cups of coffee.

Of course, if some of the other products resonate more with your wants and needs, I encourage you to try them out as they’re all fantastic.

Barbara Whitney

For the last 20 years, I’ve been cooking, preparing, researching, and gathering recipes, tools, and knowledge about food and the way we prepare it. Raising two lively boys and spoiling one great husband later, it’s safe to say that I’ve optimized my kitchen to deliver the best possible meal, no matter the occasion.

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